This video examines an experimental Gras-Vetterli repeating rifle from the late 19th century, a period when France explored numerous repeating rifle designs. The rifle features a Kropatschek style lifter and tube magazine, combined with a side loading gate similar to the Swiss Vetterli. While the bolt is of the Gras type, the receiver is newly manufactured and not a repurposed Gras receiver. The rifle is marked 'Henry,' hinting at a potential but uncertain connection to New Haven Arms or Winchester. External parts have been restored, but the internal mechanics remain unrestored, with a frozen loader. The exact function of a missing component on the receiver is unknown. The rifle is from the Galerie de Mars reference collection in Paris.
This video explores the groundbreaking Model 1886 Lebel rifle, recognized as the first military rifle to utilize smokeless powder. It details the rifle's rapid development, driven by a demanding deadline, and its innovative modification of existing designs like the Gras bolt and Kropatschek tube magazine. The Lebel's introduction provided the French infantry with a significant range advantage, marking a pivotal moment in small arms history. The video touches on its mass production and extended service life through both World Wars, solidifying its status as a pioneering military firearm.
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